dedicated to simplifying my consumption and accumulation of stuff (especially clothes), one step at a time, starting today 6-1-11 for one year. Ok, 2 years. Well, now we're going into Y3. Make that 4. - so who's counting anyway?

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Another House Dress, Shoes and a Rain Coat!

Wait a minute...

Ready?

Set...

Go!

I'd say it's a Polish house dress, with that bold red and white design. This one is made from 2 old tablecloths, plus a bit of old handmade kitchen curtain for the pocket facing when I ran out of the former.

Biiiggg pockets wide open

See that checked pattern inside the pocket? That's the bit of curtain fabric.

and shut closed

Enough playing with my clothes. Here's a peek of the back view.

I can do it.

This tablecloth dress had major refinements going on. I had to piece it like crazy since I only had 2 to work with and there were plenty of stains and tiny holes too. Instead of embroidering and/or mending, I did applique by cutting out the flower elements from the bits of scraps and machine zigzagging them on the offending areas. Sometimes the dress is more appliqued than not! I have pictures of just the dress and close ups of the appliques on my Clothes for Spring page.

Oh, oh, let's not forget the latest ebay shoes...

by Antelope, never heard of them before

cool in a weird way, huh?

And now here's that rain coat I made last month and never got around to photographing.

I know it's not the greatest 'outfit' to be wearing to show it off, but hey, I'm getting it done, okay.

and it has a hood - I luv hoods on coats

The color is hard to capture. It's kind of a no color, like stone maybe. And the fabric (if it can be called that) was impossible to sew. Very, very lightweight and slick. It left holes from the needle and/or pins and puckered like mad. I did what I could...

and big pockets, of course

I used red snap tape cuz there was no way button holes were going to happen. But even with that, I ended up having to hand sew it on because of the massive puckering. And that's okay.

Yeah, check out that lining!

and a semi-back shot.

Close-ups of the rain coat and pattern adapted can be viewed at the Clothes for Springpage.

Phew, what an exhausting post. I think I need a lay-down now. But first I'm linking up with Bella's Secondhand Firstwhich is highlighting the famous Vix of Vintage Vixen. Later I'll join the Visibles at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Do stop by for the party.

I simply must join Sacramento's Share-in-Style: Red today, mustn't I? And of course, Sheila's Shoe Shine party is not to be missed. Gather 'round, now.

You're a house dress genius. But these, this one and the last, are too fine for the term "house dress." These are more haute than house. And when one says applique I imagine rough cuts and squiggy sewing. You put my imagination to shame. Fabulous shoes! And the raincoat? Awesome. It's the most stylish one I've seen. You deserve a nap now.

You mean they're haute house dresses? hmmm. They are rough cuts and squiggly sewing appliques, only done on machine. I'm not capable of putting YOUR imagination to shame, dear Melanie, ha! I did take a nap, but then was up until 3 am. ah well.

Oh, these house dresses are just lovely. From the back they remind me a bit of a Korean hanbok. The appliques add so much charm. Really wonderful stuff here - the shoes, the dresses, the raincoat; all so very charming!

Yes, the shoes are very cool in a weird way!!! I love your huge pocketed house dresses. I have a skirt with BIG pockets that I just adore wearing, I can only imaging how much fun I'd have wearing one of your dresses!!!

So much to admire in this post. Your tablecloth dress is incredible and the shoes are perfect with it! And the fact that you made a raincoat blows me away. But then I'm not surprised. You talents and skills are beyond comprehension!

love. LOVE. LOOOOOOVE the house dress made from APRONS! LoVE!! You are such an inspiration! Your ears may have been burning this morning because me and another awesome blogger were talking about what an inspiration you are. Thanks for the mention and for linking up.

Completely charming, Pao. Not so much a housedress as a tea-party dress, or luncheon at your local cafe kind of dress! So pretty, and the sandals are fabulous! Very, very snazzy little raincoat ... great for anytime you need a pretty rain coat! Pretty sleek, I think. Just genius, tip to toe!

Ooh, I like this "housedress" even better than the first. Can't wait to see the next version too! (Must get around to making one myself soon.) And yes, the shoes are very cool. So envious that you can buy shoes online.

I'm still working on it, the next one. After the manifesto you wrote on wearing skirts and dresses, I shouldn't think so... I usually wear pantaloons (longer) or bloomers (shorter) or petit pants (tighter) under them to avoid see-thru ability or stick-to-it-ness.

Pat/Pao!!!! Beautiful house dress. I'm all about house dresses now. The heat is encroaching and this type of wearable art is perfect!!! I think of you and your hiatus as you cared for your mom. It's my turn now, and I'm appreciative that I can come here to see your creativity resume. There is light at the end of the tunnel. XXOO

Dear Jean, I gathered as much from your posts. It's so hard, that's all I can say about it. Oh, and just don't be hard on yourself AT ALL while you're making your way through this passage of time. I think the light at the end of the tunnel is different, or you're different, something shifts.

You are a genius with your sewing machine!! I just completed some sewing lessons but I am far from crafting like you. Today I'll start with pillow slipcovers. Maybe if I make them large enough I can wear them!You look fantastic in this, I love the fabric of tablecloths. Great shoes too!

Yea Joni, so glad to have you back in the hood. I immediately went to find you and see you have re-established your fashion sense with An Artful Closet. Hip hip hooray! And sewing too. What could be better?!